Taking AP World Language and Culture Exams

This year’s AP Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish Language and Culture Exams will be administered using a free new dedicated app, the AP World Languages Exam App (WLEA), now available for download. Students taking these exams must use this app on smartphones or tablets.

Watch the Exam Walkthrough

Download and Practice with the AP WLEA

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Step by Step

Keep in Mind

Practice for your exam.

This year’s AP Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish Language and Culture Exams are only administered through the AP World Languages Exam App. Use the app in practice mode—in English only, not the target language of your exam—before exam day on the device you plan to use for the exam to familiarize yourself with the experience. To verify you’ll be able to initially check in to your exam on your device, we recommend launching the exam demo. And for practice with exam content, review sample questions for your subject.

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Make sure your device is ready.

To use the app, your smartphone or tablet must have the AP WLEA installed, at least 25% battery power (or be plugged in), at least 30MB free storage space, and a stable connection to the internet—either through Wi-Fi or cellular data. The app will alert you if you need to address battery power, storage space, or internet connection during practice mode or on exam day. It’s not necessary to use headphones to take the exam, but you’re permitted to use them if you prefer.

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Check in for your exam using your e-ticket and a supported browser.

Check in for your exam from your e-ticket—don’t open the app directly. Use the same smartphone or tablet you’ve installed the AP World Languages Exam App on. After clicking your e-ticket, your exam experience will open in a web browser. Only use Chrome, Safari, or Firefox as your browser—don’t use the Google app. You’ll complete screens with identifying information, and then you’ll click “Start My Exam” which will launch the app in exam mode.

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Set your device to “do not disturb” on exam day.

If your device gets a phone call or notification while you’re taking the exam, your exam will end. Make sure to turn off notifications and voice assistants (like Siri) before you start your exam. Practice in the app with these settings to be sure the changes took effect.

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Keep the app screen visible while you’re recording your response.

When you’re taking the exam, if you navigate away from the app screen during your preparation time for a task, you will need to navigate back so the app screen is visible while you’re speaking in order to record your response properly.

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FAQs

The timed portion of each exam is as follows:

  • AP French, German, Italian, and Spanish Language and Culture: 22 minutes
  • AP Chinese and Japanese Language and Culture: 15 minutes

See the full AP Exam Schedule 2020 for detailed information on exam timing.

For more information about exam specifications, go to World Languages: Taking the Exam.

The AP WLEA can be used on smartphones and tablets that can download apps from the Apple App Store or from the Google Play Store. Since the app is now available for download, the best way to check whether your device works with the app is to try downloading it. If you’re using a school-managed device, your district may need to download and install the app for you.

For more information about device and technical requirements, go to World Languages: Check Your Tech.

For more information about the AP WLEA, go to World Languages: Download the App.

No. This year the AP Exams in world languages and cultures have speaking tasks only. And the app manages the entire process of recording and uploading your responses.

For more information about exam specifications, go to World Languages: Taking the Exam.

The app manages the entire exam process—it will automatically record your responses and submit them when you’ve completed both tasks. You don’t need to independently record, save, or attach/submit your responses—it’s all done through the app.

For more information about exam specifications, go to World Languages: Taking the Exam.

You’ll need to be connected when you launch the exam and again after your responses have been recorded so the app can submit them to the AP Program.

You’ll get an alert when you first launch the app if there’s no internet connection. You’ll need to establish a connection in order to begin the exam. If you lose your connection once the exam has started, don’t worry—the app will continue to administer your exam and record your responses. You’ll need an internet connection after your responses have been recorded so the app can submit them to the AP Program. You’ll get an alert if there’s no internet connection at this point. If this happens, try to restore your internet connection. The app will continue to try to submit your responses.

For more information about technical requirements, go to World Languages: Check Your Tech. 

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